Hidden Harvest selects new president, CEO

matthew woods mwoods@mdn.net

Updated 10:39 pm, Friday, February 5, 2016

The harvest continues for Hidden Harvest, a Great Lakes Bay Region organization that has made its mission to distribute unused food through 150 food distribution agencies in the area, including a number in Midland County.

A new leader will be guiding the organization, Samantha McKenzie, 30. The Hemlock resident has been chosen as the new president and CEO to lead Hidden Harvest. She will officially take the position Feb. 15.

McKenzie replaces former president and CEO, Richard Premo, who passed away Oct. 17, 2015, at the age of 69.

Hidden Harvest was started in Saginaw County in 1994 and expanded to Bay and Midland counties in 2000. The organization rescues unused food items that would normally be discarded to help feed the hungry throughout the region. Since its creation, Hidden Harvest has distributed almost 28 million pounds of surplus food to area organizations.

McKenzie has served as the executive director of the Hospitality House in Saginaw for the last 10 years, a nonprofit organization that offers affordable lodging for out-of-town people with relatives who are being treated in area hospitals. Hospitality House currently operates two facilities, Emerson Hospitality House and McNally Hospitality House, both located in Saginaw. The organization began operations in 1984.

McKenzie started with the Hospitality House when she was just 20.

“I started as a volunteer and I really loved the mission,” she said. “I am originally from out in the Thumb, so I know what it is like for everything to be an hour away and for things to be far from your home.”

McKenzie said Hospitality House is currently conducting a search for her replacement.

As for her decision to leave a role that has been part of her life for the last decade, McKenzie said it was not an easy one to make, but her time at her current position has helped her prepare for the new responsibilities.

“It has definitely. You learn a lot about the area you serve and the community you are a part of,” she said.

Terry L. Rock, board of trustee chair for Hidden Harvest, said the organization was pleased at the interest in the position.

“We had a tremendous response to it. We were concerned we couldn’t find the right fit. We wanted someone with nonprofit experience,” Rock said. “It’s not your typical job — it’s a ministry.”

Rock has been helping shepherd the organization since Premo’s passing.

“We had over 20 applicants,” Rock said. “And then we interviewed the top three candidates.”

As for the organization’s selection, Rock said he and the board of trustees have the utmost confidence in McKenzie.

“Samantha really came through,” he said.

Rock said he had known Premo since the two met as children, and is happy to see his friend’s dream continue.

“I’ve known Rich since I was five years old,” he said with a chuckle. “We met in a sandbox when my parents moved next door to his family. We were friends ever since.”

Rock said these days, organizations like Hidden Harvest are more important than ever.

“One in five kids in the Great Lakes Bay Region go to bed hungry,” he said.

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McKenzie said she is ready for her new role, and looks forward to being a part of the Hidden Harvest family.

“I have seen the impact they have had on area organizations. I am so excited to see that impact and be a part of it,” she said.